Ocius Technology opens doors on advanced Bluebottle hub in Sydney

Ocius Technology has officially opened its advanced engineering, production and maintenance hub for Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) in Sydney, including a new 24/7 Global Operations Centre supporting missions worldwide. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy officially opened the site on 16 October 2026 at a ceremony attended by representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, customers, partners and industry stakeholders. The upgraded engineering and manufacturing operation significantly increases Ocius’ capacity to meet the growing demand for autonomous maritime surveillance systems in Australia and overseas. Production is now scaling to deliver 40 additional Australian-designed and built Bluebottles under the Australian Government’s $176 million investment announced in March 2026, as well as forecast additional international orders. The expansion follows the establishment earlier in the week of Ocius’ first overseas advanced maritime maintenance base in Auckland, operated through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ocius New Zealand. Conroy said, “Ocius is a great Australian success story, developing world-leading maritime technology right here in Sydney. Ocius is a prime example of Australian innovation and ingenuity that has created over 70 jobs over the last 12 months, while supporting other small businesses and jobs through its supply chain. I’ve said before that I want potential adversaries to understand that when they see an Ocius Bluebottle USV, it is a signal to get out of our ocean. These new facilities will help deliver Bluebottles to the Royal Australian Navy, meet demand for Bluebottles from around the world, and boost Ocius’ maritime operations capability.” Construction has also been completed on Ocius’ new state-of-the-art Global Operations Centre, with simultaneous multi-mission capacity. The centre will enable sophisticated round-the-clock mission monitoring and coordination for defence and civilian customers across the world. The site also incorporates dedicated research and development areas to advance the Bluebottle platform and its sensor, autonomy and mission systems. Additional engineering, manufacturing and technical space will accommodate Ocius’ rapidly increasing high-tech workforce, having grown to over 130 staff, while also allowing room for further scale. Powered by solar, wind and wave energy, Bluebottle USVs act as ‘satellites of the sea’ and can remain at sea for extended periods, delivering persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance without the need for continuous crewed deployment. The Bluebottle Hybrid, which carries diesel as supplemental fuel source, is also produced at the same Sydney facility. Bluebottles provide real-time surface and subsurface maritime awareness for defence, customs and other agencies, working alongside crewed and uncrewed assets as part of an integrated surveillance network. Robert Dane, Chief Executive Officer of Ocius Technology, said: “The opening is an important next step in Ocius’ evolution and our ability to deliver sovereign maritime technology at scale for customers in Australia and around the world. It brings together the people, technology and manufacturing expertise needed to build Australia’s Bluebottle fleet at pace, sustain vessels already operating at sea and respond to increasing global demand. Ocius began as an R&D operation at UNSW. Today, we have a major Australian manufacturing base, a 24/7 Global Operations Centre and an expanding international presence. That progression shows what Australian innovation can achieve when world-leading research is transformed into operational technology at scale.” Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation & Minister for Science, said: “Facilities like this show the strength of Australian advanced manufacturing, turning home-grown research and innovation into high-value jobs, sovereign capability and products that can compete globally. By scaling production here in Sydney, Ocius is using Australian ingenuity and industrial effort, strengthening local supply chains and demonstrating Australia’s maritime ability. The Albanese Government is making Australia more resilient and more secure by backing industry here at at home.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]